Future Trends in Robotics & Industry 4.0
The virtual session on “Future Trends in Robotics & Industry 4.0”, organized by Y2NPro under IEEE Young Professionals Sri Lanka, will be held on the 1st of June 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM IST, via Zoom. As part of the Robotics in Industry 4.0: Automation and Smart Manufacturing Workshop Series, this session will explore the emerging frontiers and transformative directions that are shaping the future of robotics and automation in industrial ecosystems.The session will be conducted by Dr. Chapa Sirithunga, a postdoctoral researcher and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow at the University of Cambridge, with expertise in robotics, automation, and adaptive human-robot interaction.Dr. Sirithunga will provide a forward-looking perspective on the integration of cutting-edge technologies—such as behavioral robotics, intelligent sensing, multi-agent systems, and AI-driven automation—into next-generation industrial environments. Special emphasis will be placed on how these innovations are being applied to enhance safety, efficiency, and collaboration in sectors ranging from construction and manufacturing to infrastructure and service robotics.The session will also explore future challenges and opportunities in deploying autonomous systems at scale, focusing on themes such as ethical robotics, human-centered design, interdisciplinary innovation, and entrepreneurship in STEM-driven automation. Drawing from her research and global experience, Dr. Sirithunga will highlight real-world use cases and discuss how academia and industry can collaborate to drive sustainable progress in Industry 4.0.An interactive Q&A segment will follow the presentation, encouraging participants to engage in thought-provoking discussion on the evolving landscape of robotics.
Hosted by Y2NPro under IEEE YP Sri Lanka, this session is ideal for engineers, researchers, students, and innovators seeking insight into the next wave of technological advancement in industrial automation and robotics.
Date and Time
Location
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- Date: 01 Jun 2025
- Time: 11:30 AM UTC to 01:30 PM UTC
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Speakers
Dr. Chapa Sirithunga of University of Cambridge
Future Trends in Robotics & Industry 4.0
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). Digital twins and blockchain in manufacturing. Smart logistics and automation.
Biography:
Dr. Chapa Sirithunga is a postdoctoral researcher specializing in robotics, automation, and human-robot interaction, currently serving as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow at the University of Cambridge. She is affiliated with Newnham College, Cambridge, and works on enhancing the safety of heavy machinery in construction fields through advanced sensing, machine learning, and multi-agent systems. Dr. Sirithunga holds a PhD and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. Her research spans behavioral robotics, human-centered design, control systems, and mechatronics, with previous academic appointments as a Lecturer at Sri Lanka Technological Campus and a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Moratuwa. She has also contributed to projects in bio-inspired robotics, manipulation, and sensory networks. Dr. Sirithunga’s work emphasizes adaptive human-robot interaction frameworks, with applications in domestic, service, and road infrastructure environments. She has been part of entrepreneurship programs at the University of Oxford and Cambridge Judge Business School, supporting innovation in STEM research. She has published widely in international venues, maintaining an h-index and i10-index of 7, and continues to advance interdisciplinary research in robotics and automation.